This weekend — if you’re looking for something to do — will herald the beginning of the holiday season in Mancos! Despite the lack of snow, Santa will be on his way with all his goodies!

On Friday night, Dec. 7, the Rudolph Run registration is at 6 p.m. at Pioneer Park ($3 before and $5 on that night). The Run starts at 6:30. (Contact Annette Mullikin at 533-7649 for more information.)

Then Santa arrives at 7 p.m. for the tree lighting and goodies for the kids. At 7:30, the original movie “The Grinch” will be shown in the Mancos Community Center. For more information contact Leslie Hopkins at 533-7725.

Geeks on Grand, Twig Woman Herbs and the Accidental Art Gallery will have an evening of food, friends, fun, and good cheer on Friday, Dec. 7.

Immediately after the Christmas Tree Lighting, which is at 7 p.m., the Geeks will be opening their doors to the Mancos Community for an open-house Holiday Party. The Geeks will be on hand for Tech Talk, Twig Woman Herbs will have samples of teas, essential oils and other natural remedies, and the Accidental Art Gallery will feature new art and Green Chile Stew. Other local businesses will be holding Open Houses this evening as well. There will even be Cookies ‘n’ Cocoa at the Colmbine! For any questions, please contact Victoria Petersen at 970-533-9926, or send an email to info@geeksongrand.com.

Columbine Christmas — Cookies, Cocoa and Carols — Friday, Dec. 7 is the official kickoff to Mancos’ Olde Fashioned Christmas with the tree lighting & Santa’s arrival. Afterwards, bring the whole family to the Columbine for cookies and hot cocoa. Holiday karaoke gets underway ‘round 8 p.m. As an additional treat this year, Mac Neely’s Annual Cookie contest will be held at the Columbine that evening as well. There will be prizes in three categories: Best Taste, Best Decorated and the Best Cookie overall. Just bring a dozen cookies, we‘ll do the rest. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season, and who knows, it might even snow!

The Artisans of Mancos will be open until 8 p.m. for shoppers. Bill and Karel Hurt will be there for everyone to meet and visit about their wood art.

The Cash Mob for Dec. 8 will be at 10 a.m. at the Raven House Gallery in Mancos. Come in and support the gallery and spend whatever you can, or just come in to see the beautiful gallery! They have great holiday gifts such as Colorado greeting cards, matted photos and framed artwork, Dave’s Aspen Heart Turnings by Dave, beautiful and reasonably priced aspen vases and really colorful agate pendant necklaces; the gallery owner, Marilyn Kroeker’s, White Chick Pottery, copper jewelry, copper decorations, copper wind wiggles, new marbelized paper pendants, water colors; Bodie Todesch Hartman’s pastel artwork; Steve Sykes’ photography on canvas, cards and matted photos; Janet Chanay’s photography, photo boxes, matted photos and cards; Patricia Burk’s photography; Marjorie Kay’s abstract digital photography and photo boxes; Carol Van der Harten’s beautiful fresh water pearl jewelry; Steve Willaims’ iron work; Carol Weistart’s fiber artwork; beautiful hats, scarves and ear warmers; Rob and Mary Wilsons’ decorated gourds and Darrel Ellis’ archive type books. We also have two new artists, David Rainey, renowned and published visual artist, and John Ninneman’s paintings, drawings & photography. Kilgore American Indian Artwork has also joined them; generations of trading posts with beautiful, handmade turquoise jewelry and wonderful pieces of history that you might want to see. There will be food, drinks and drawings. Look for Roy, the Wooden Indian, and come have your photo taken next to him.

The Mancos Friends of the Library will be hosting their annual Holiday Book Sale on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library. A “Friends Only” pre-sale event will start at 9 a.m. with complimentary cookies and hot chocolate for Friends members to enjoy while getting the first pick of our great selection of books! Stanton Englehart cards and posters will also be available for your holiday shopping.

Volunteers are needed to help set up the sale on Friday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and to run the sale on Saturday (various 2-hour shifts) and tear down afterwards. Call the library at 533-7600 or stop by to put your name on the list and help support your Mancos Library and its programs.

Don’t forget the holiday community dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the community center.

No matter who is on your shopping list, or if you’re looking for something for yourself, you’re bound to find something in Mancos.